Report: Sebastian Coates to return to Nacional

Liverpool defender Sebastian Coates is to be loaned to Nacional, according to reports in Uruguay.

The 6ft 5in centre-back, who was signed from Nacional in August 2011, is currently sidelined after suffering an ACL injury while on international duty in August.

The 23-year-old was expected to miss the whole of the 2013/14 season with the injury but explained back in November that he hoped to return earlier in order to potentially be part of Uruguay’s World Cup squad.

“You always think positively, I think that’s the most important thing” he told the official LFC website. “In my case, I keep myself going by focusing on getting back as quickly as I can, and with the national team, the World Cup is another goal to help me with my recovery.”

Uruguayan media outlet Subrayado claim Coates will re-sign for Nacional on a six-month loan, presumably in an attempt to get fit ahead of the World Cup.

Coates was signed for a fee that could rise to £7 million after impressing at the 2011 Copa America.